Companion Plant

Companion Plant

Definition: Companion Plant

Companion Plant: Companion plant noun a plant which improves the growth of nearby plants or reduces pest infestation. Companion plants are often used by horticulturists and gardeners because they encourage growth or reduce pest infestation in an adjacent plant. COMMENT: Some plants grow better when planted near others. Beans and peas help root plants such as carrots and beetroot. Most herbs (except fennel) are helpful to other plants. Marigolds help reduce aphids if they are planted near plants such as broad beans or roses which are subject to aphid infestation. The strong smell of onions is disliked by the carrot fly, so planting onions near carrots makes sense. On the other hand, most other plants (and especially peas and beans) dislike onions and will not grow well near them. Utilizing companion planting enhances crop health and reduces the need for chemical pest control.